This week reading is actually taken from several pages from the book "The Theory of the Leisure Class" written by Veblen, Thorstein. The main idea of the book is the role played by the upper level social class, which the author introduces it as the "leisure class", in the emerging of the market system and economics. However, the selected readings emphasize more on the idea of "conspicuous leisure" and "conspicuous consumption".
At page 36-37, although in the past the working force are very comfortable with their current social status, the more upper level social class naturally shows superiority over the lower class to feel more secure and appreciated. Such thinking and acts propagates our development from the poor to the rich, even until today.
At page 70-71, the article talks about the idea of conspicuous consumption through the example of ceremonial differentiation. One of the consumption good would be alcoholic drinks/ stimulants. Where the price is high, alcoholic drinks are seemed as luxury and noble. Through this, male shows superiority and nobility to women.
At page 230-232, the idea of "conspicuous leisure" and "conspicuous consumption" are further elaborate into today's profession and employment. The idea talks about that men are merely purposeless in competing against each other but only for the mere idea of status, respect and nobility. A lot of things serve no practical use, but because of "conspicuous leisure" and "conspicuous consumption", certain things evolve to gain respect and higher social status against others.
Some rhetorical question,
1. Isn't that the idea of "gaining respect" or show superiority one of the purpose of human? If humans are all merely purposeless then we will all just act randomly and by chances.
2. Like greed is bad and self interest is good, then should "showing superiority" be categorized as good or bad?
3. Is the attitude of conspicuous leisure and conspicuous consumption one of the cause to the complicated system of economics and the market?
Personally I think that the whole passage is very confusing because the reading lacks complete picture of the whole article. However, the idea that certain rituals and ceremonies are in our today society is because of the leisure class and the need to show superiority against others is very interesting. I remain neutral to the author opinion because the concept is vague to me.
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